Friends Don't Let Friends Type Qwerty

The standard typewriter keyboard layout was invented in 1872. The "Qwerty" layout, as it is called, was designed to prevent keys from jamming in mechanical typewriters. It was not optimized for typing speed or for comfort. It was not designed for computers. But you have a Qwerty keyboard plugged into your computer right now!

What's wrong with Qwerty?

The most frequently used keys are outside the middle (home) row, where fingers rest when touch-typing.
Qwerty wasn't designed for touch-typing, a later invention. Supposedly, all of the letters in "typewriter" were put in the top row to aid salesmen in their demonstrations.
You have to reach diagonally for keys that aren't in the home row. It's uncomfortable and easy to miss. The staggered rows made early typewriters easier to build but have no function today.
High error rate resulting from the above facts.
Even if you can type fast with Qwerty, you could be typing faster.
Keys that weren't important on typewriters (backspace and arrow keys) are hard to reach on our computers when touch-typing.
Qwerty requires two hands. With no hand free for your mouse, editing and other tasks are inefficient.
Many people using Qwerty suffer repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

There is a better way to type. Explore the options below to see which one is best for you.

Alternatives to Qwerty:

Thousands of people have switched to the Dvorak keyboard layout. It was invented in 1932 by August Dvorak and William Dealey. The keys are rearranged for more efficient typing. 70% of Dvorak typing is on the home row, compared to 32% using Qwerty. Finger movement and typing injuries are reduced. Typing speed is increased. It costs nothing to switch your computer to the Dvorak layout. Worried about having to learn a new keyboard? Unless you die next month, it will save time in the long run. Switch to Dvorak.

Malt keyboard. Although Dvorak is more efficient than Qwerty, it is still archaic in that it preserves the staggered rows, limited thumb use, and hard-to-reach backspace and other keys of the typewriter. The Malt keyboard, invented by Lillian Malt, optimizes the physical structure of the keyboard as well as the letter assignments. Unlike Dvorak, it requires special hardware. More info.
Contoured keyboards available in Dvorak and Malt layouts escape the physical drawbacks of the typewriter-style keyboard. They are shaped to match the natural reach of the fingers. They also avoid the staggered rows of the typewriter, so reaching keys in the top and bottom rows is faster and more comfortable. The thumbs are more fully utilized than with traditional keyboards. See examples on the products page.

Kinesis contoured keyboard

Bat chording keyboard

One-handed keyboards solve the problem of not having a hand free for other tasks while typing. Originally for disabled use, Dvorak invented one-handed key layouts for each hand. You can use these layouts on your existing keyboard just by changing the Windows keyboard settings.
Chording keyboards. By pressing keys at the same time in different combinations, it is possible to reproduce all keyboard functions with only a few keys. Chording keyboards are nearly as fast as Qwerty, and they are more comfortable since each finger stays on one key. One-handed use results in increased productivity in mouse-intensive operations. The Bat keyboard is a popular example.

example

I've ignored speech recognition so far, because you still need a keyboard if you use it. Why would you invest in speech recognition software but still use a nineteenth-century typewriter keyboard with your computer?

Show your support for alternative text entry. Copy this banner onto your web site. Print out the large version (GIF or MS Word format), laminate it, and use it as a bumper sticker on your car.